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The word “Lent” actually literally means Springtime, the perfect season for renewal! Here’s Sister Mary’s mid-week pick-me-up for the “mini-retreat” that will refresh your soul throughout Lent. Here’s a list of all of the weeks’ posts.

By Sister Mary Core, OSB

“My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Wow! What an eye opener this statement has become. How often have we prayed, “Give me strength, O Lord. Help me through this situation.”?

How often we want the strength, the grace, the credit, the glory.

Somehow we miss the real message in this passage when we ask God to give us strength, instead of be our strength.

I guess the difference is whether we are able to let go of our agenda and trust that God’s grace really is enough for us.

What about you? Do you notice a difference in your attitude when you pray, “God, be my strength,” rather than, “God, give me strength?

Do you notice how the words, “power is made perfect in weakness” take on new meaning when considered in the light of be grace as opposed to givegrace?

As you continue through this week make “my grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness” a sort of mantra or repetitive prayer to remind yourself that your weakness provides the opportunity for God to be your grace … to love you into unity, wholeness and holiness with our loving Creator.

Questions for reflection …

* In what ways can you allow your weakness(es) to be a vessel in which God can pour grace?

* Are you, like Paul, able to “boast of your weaknesses,” or do you want to hide them?

* What are the sources of your weaknesses?

* Do you consider your weaknesses to be sinful? Or are they simply aspects of your human limitations?

* Do you allow God’s grace to be sufficient for you, or do you want to control God’s grace in your life?

Be a grain of wheat! Be still! Believe God’s grace is sufficient for you!